Burn ISO images to SD Cards or USB Flash Drive with Etcher to Make it Bootable

In the realm of tech-savvy endeavours, the need to install or run operating systems via external devices like USB drives or SD cards is increasingly prevalent. Such tasks necessitate more than just transferring an ISO image file to your preferred media; they require the transformation of these files into bootable formats, primed to kickstart an OS. While the mere act of copying might seem straightforward, it’s essential to emphasize that this alone won’t make your media bootable. To achieve this, specialized software tailored to write ISO files adeptly comes into play. Etcher stands out in this domain, offering a sleek, user-friendly interface that simplifies the process of burning ISO images to SD cards or USB flash drives, ensuring they are bootable. Whether you’re a novice stepping into the world of bootable media or a seasoned pro, Etcher’s intuitive design and reliability make it an excellent choice. In this guide, we will introduce you to the art of making your media bootable using Etcher, further enhancing your digital toolkit.

You can choose from one of the following popular freeware tools that will help you to burn an ISO on a USB flash drive:-

1. EasyBCD
2. AnyBurn
3. WinUSB Maker
4. Rufus
5. Windows USB/DVD Download Tool
6. ISO2Disc
7. WinToHDD
8. Using Command Prompt

While the aforementioned freeware enables the creation of bootable USB flash drives, they fall short when it comes to crafting bootable SD cards; that is, they lack the capability to burn ISO files onto an SD card.

However, for those utilizing Windows or those averse to navigating the complexities of the terminal, there’s an exceptional tool named Etcher. This desktop application streamlines the process, allowing for the effortless, user-friendly creation of bootable USBs or SD cards using ISO or IMG files. Moreover, it boasts compatibility across various desktop operating systems.

Etcher is versatile, supporting a wide range of file formats, including ISO, BZ2, DMG, DSK, ETCH, GZ, HDDIMG, IMG, RAW, XZ, and ZIP. This versatility means users can directly burn files, whether they are ISO, BZ2, DMG, and so on, onto their SD Card or USB Flash Drive without a hitch.

Features of Etcher

1. It validates before writing images on SD cards & USB Flash drives.
2. Easy to use.
3. Simple Interface.
4. 50% faster flashes.
5. Simultaneous writing for multiple drives.
6. Supports Windows 7/8/10 (both 32-bit and 64-bit).
7. Supports macOS.
8. Supports Linux (32-bit and 64-bit).
9. Supports ISO, BZ2, DMG, DSK, ETCH, GZ, HDDIMG, IMG, RAW, XZ, and ZIP file formats.
10. You can download a bootable ISO from the specified URL.

Burning ISO images to SD Cards & USB Flash Drive

Do the following to burn an ISO image to SD Cards or USB Flash Drives:-

Step 1. First, run the Etcher tool.

Step 2. Now, click on Flash from the file to select a bootable ISO file from your PC.

Step 3. Then, connect your USB flash drive or SD card to your PC. After that, click on the Select Target option.

Step 4. Finally, click on the Flash option to start copying bootable ISO content to your USB flash drive or SD Cards.

The duration of the copying process may vary depending on the size of the ISO file and the speed of your external drive. Once the bootable USB flash drive is created, you can test it without having to install it on your computer or laptop.

Conclusion

In an evolving technological landscape, tools like Etcher empower users to easily create bootable devices, merging user-friendly interfaces with robust capabilities. While there are multiple software choices available, Etcher’s wide-ranging compatibility and feature set make it a standout choice for burning ISO images to SD cards and USB drives.